Mar Ivanious College, Trivandrum, 27 Feb-KE College, Mannanam came back from a 21-point deficit at half time to beat Christ College, Irinjalakkuda by four points on the first day of 57th Mar Ivanious All Kerala Inter Collegiate Basketball Tournament for Men and Women. The final score card read: KE College, Mannanam -79, Christ College, Irinjalakkuda-75. In other matches that took place early on in the Tuesday evening, Sahrdya College , Thrissur beats Mar Ivanious B team by a margin of 54-35 and Indian Naval Academy, Azhimala edged passed Govt. Arts College, Trivandrum by a score line of 65 -55.

The final match on the first day between KE College, Mannanam and Christ College rose to the expectations of a thumping contest as both teams had in their squads some prolific players. However, the match didn’t started as an evenly affair as Christ college dominated the first quarter under their talismanic player Prem- who was once an Ivanious player. Christ College eased passed the defense of KE College- which lacked motivation in the first quarter. The highly regarded attack of KE College also couldn’t find basket in the first quarter as Christ College ended the first quarter leading by 24-8. However, with their coach all fired up and giving instructions from the side line, KE College started to play their natural game from the second quarter onwards. Though KE College strengthened their defense after a sorry first quarter, Christ College still managed ways to score with their quick short passing in the opposition half. At half time Christ College ended with 44 points while KE college’s score read 23.

The third quarter  changed the whole complexion of the match with KE College’s most reliable players looked determined to turn the tie in their favour. Appu, Jiss, Moncy and Jossy of KE College played their hearts out to cut the half time deficit significantly by the end of third quarter. KE College increased the pressure on their opponents and intercepted Christ College’s counter attacks. They also founnd their scoring rhythm back by the third quarter. KE College scored 31 points while Christ managed only 17 points in the third quarter and the score line read Christ College 61 and KE College 54 at the end of third quarter. The final quarter saw one of the most exciting  finishes one could possibly hope for with both teams gave their all to stay in the competition. At many instances the scores were level and it looked like the match would end in a tie. However, KE College held their nerves and went onto win the match by four points, the final score card read Ke College-79, Christ College-75.

Earlier in the evening, a physically superior and well drilled side of Indian Naval Academy, Azhimala  found it difficult to over power a spirited Govt. Arts College, Trivandrum. Both teams played an evenly contested match but the occasional miss passes made by the Arts college presented the Naval team some easy scoring opportunities. Amal of Arts College was a player who stood out through out the match. The number 9 launched attacks from the flanks and forced foul trouble from the opponents and never missed out on any scoring opportunity.The match was evenly poised with the third quarter ending with 40 points for Naval Academy and 38 points for Arts College. However, Naval team with physical endurance and organised defense to their advantage maintained their lead throught the last quarter to end the match with 65 points , ten more than their opponents to win the match eventually.